Fairfield police link two to early May shooting case

An ongoing investigation into an eruption of gunfire in early May led Fairfield police to arrest two men, both with extensive criminal histories, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Javon Dyer, 23, of Fairfield, and Jamere Franklin, 25, of Vallejo, were taken into custody May 2, a short time after officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1500 block of James Street, according to a press release from Lt. Stephen Crane.

Although no one was injured in the barrage of gunfire that left approximately a dozen bullet casings littering the ground, Dyer and Franklin were stopped and detained shortly after 8:40 p.m. after being spotted near the area of the shooting in a vehicle matching the description of one seen leaving the scene, Crane reported.

During a search of the two suspects, officers found a loaded, semi-automatic handgun on Dyer, according to Crane. Both men were also reportedly found in possession of large amount of narcotics.

Dyer and Franklin, who is a convicted felon, were both booked into Solano County Jail on suspicion of numerous felony violations, including possession of suspected controlled substances for sale, Crane said.

Following their arrests, detectives with the Major Crimes Unit took up the investigation and were able to determine that the shooting was in connection to an altercation that broke out at a nearby residence.

According to detectives, a group of people went to a residence in the 1500 block James Street where, at some point, "a dispute over personal property" broke out, said Sgt. Troy Oviatt.

When the group who initially went to the residence got into a vehicle and started to leave, a flurry of gunshots rang out, intended for the occupants of the vehicles as it fled down the street, police stated.

According to Crane, Franklin has prior law enforcement contacts ranging from criminal conspiracy, to possession of controlled substances for sale, transportation of controlled substances, carrying a loaded firearm, evading law enforcement, robbery, burglary, being a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, domestic violence, driving under the influence and possession of stolen property and various other crimes.

Dyer also has prior law enforcement contacts including charges of criminal conspiracy, burglary, domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism, possession of a controlled substance, carrying a loaded firearm in public, battery and a variety of other crimes.

As a result of the follow-up investigation, both Dyer and Franklin have been charged with assault with a firearm in connection to the May 2 shooting, as well as other felonies related to controlled substances and weapons.

Anyone with information related to this crime is asked to call the Fairfield Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 428-7600, the 24-hour Tip Line at 428-7345 or Crime Stoppers at 644-7867. Callers may remain anonymous.